Nestor Basemera, PhD: Bye-Bye Morals, Welcome Vulgarity: Uganda’s New Normal

What the report says

Watchdog Uganda published an opinion essay by Dr. Nestor Basemera arguing that the wider use of vulgar language in Uganda reflects deeper social and political pressures rather than simply a decline in manners. The piece opens with a scene in a taxi near Jinja Road in Kampala, where swear words are described as common and unremarkable, then broadens to examples from schools, workplaces, markets and social media.

Basemera says the spread of profanity should be understood as a symptom of a changing society shaped by digital culture, youth unemployment, political frustration and shifting norms around speech. He frames the trend through academic references and suggests that younger people may be using harsh language as a form of resistance, identity and survival in a competitive environment where they lack economic power.

The column also links the discussion to public debates about morality, with elders and community figures often treating offensive language as evidence of broader decay. Basemera argues that punishment or censorship will not solve the issue because the behavior is tied to structural problems. His conclusion urges leaders and adults to look beyond the language itself and focus on the grievances and social conditions behind it. As a commentary, the article reflects a broader conversation in Uganda about media, youth culture and changing public speech.